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Previously, I wrote about the affinity of certain mushrooms for cesium and their use for bioremediation. It seems fungi are not alone in their appetite for radionuclides. There is a class of bacteria that have been known for a long time to feed off of ionizing radiation. When exposed to x-rays, these bacteria are known to move towards the source of radiation, rather than away from it.

Now there are a number of researchers in Japan who are busy demonstrating that these photosynthetic bacteria can be an effective force for bioremediation of nuclear fallout. Here is a brief video from NHK world:

The researchers mixed 90 grams of photosynthetic bacteria with alginic acid and other chemicals, forming the resulting granular material into marble-sized spheres. These were injected into 50 liters of concentrated sludge, whose radiation levels were monitored for three days.

Radiation levels ranging from 12.04 to 14.54 microsieverts per hour at the start of the experiment were found to have dropped to between 2.6 and 4.1 microsieverts per hour by the end of the third day. Subtracting the 1.2 microsieverts of radiation that was detected in the area around the pool during the experiment due to the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant disaster, the bacteria was found to have reduced radiation levels in the sludge by a maximum of 89.4 percent.

The negative charge of the surface of the bacteria used in the experiment has the property of attracting positively-charged materials, which it did with the positively-charged cesium. Moreover, the bacteria feed on potassium, and Sasaki says the bacteria likely absorbed the cesium because of its resemblance to potassium.

Through dehydration and incineration, the volume of the used bacteria mixture can be reduced to a seventy-fifth of its original volume, and weight to a hundredth. Cesium turns into gas and is dispersed at 640 degrees Celsius, which can be avoided if temperatures are kept at 500 degrees or lower.

Sasaki, who is planning to run demonstration experiments, is hopeful that the technology can be applied to the decontamination of radiation-tainted soil. “The strength of this technology is that it makes decontamination possible at regular temperatures and pressures,” he said. “It is low cost as well, and we’d like to see it used in Fukushima’s reconstruction efforts.”

Even more interesting, but a bit more obscure is work being done that suggests bacteria may actually speed the decay of radioactive cesium by as much as 30 times the normal half life! Still looking for more documentation on this. Here’s what I have so far:

According to V. Vysotskii and A.Kornilova, the radioactive 137Cs (half-life 30 years) can be destroyed by bacteria. In an experiment described at (1) they introduced 260,900 Bk of 137Cs into a solution containing several chemical substances and bacteria. By natural decay the activity after 100 days would be reduced by 1670 Bk. But the actually measured reduction of radioactivity, after 100 days, turned out to be 51,100 Bk, plus or minus 1000. In other words, the reduction due to bacteria was 29 times larger than the reduction due to natural decay.

All activities were measured by placing small solution-containing flasks (2 by 2 by 2 cm) on top of the 1- cm-wide detector (2). Flasks were hermetically sealed, to make sure that cesium does not escape into the air, in the form of a volatile compound. Absence of accumulation of a solid cesium compound, gradually precipitating toward the bottom of the flask, was confirmed in a control experiment (during which 137Cs was decaying in the same chemical solution but without bacteria.) The decrease of radioactivity, during that experiment, was very close to the expected 1670 Bk.

One of the interesting takeaways from that PDF is that what was most effective were synergistic communities of micro-organisms, rather than monocultures of one strain of bacteria or yeast. This should not surprise us at all from what we know about the web of multitudinous life forms that make up soil or the complex ecologies of bacteria that inhabit our own guts. Nothing in nature works in isolation.

What we are talking about here is biological transmutation, which is based on theory outside of the mainstream of physics. One prominent promoter of this theory in Japan was reknowned macrobiotic teacher George Ohsawa. Considering the success macrobiotics has shown over the years in treating radiation illness, perhaps the theory should not be lightly dismissed.

Here is a little more about research being done on a particular bacterium by the US Department of Energy (who created the nuclear waste problem in the first place):

The contamination of groundwater with radionuclides and metals is one of the most challenging environmental problems at Department of Energy former nuclear weapons production sites. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts have previously found that Geobacter species can precipitate a wide range of radionuclides and metals (including uranium, technetium and chromium) from groundwater, preventing them from migrating to wells or rivers where they may pose a risk to humans and the environment.

The analysis of the genome sequence revealed a number of capacities that had not been previously suspected from past research on this microbe. “We’ve provided a comprehensive picture that has led to fundamental changes in how scientists evaluate this microbe,” said Barbara Methe, the TIGR researcher who led the genome project and is the first author of the Science paper. “Research based on genome data has shown that this microbe can sense and move towards metallic substances, and in some cases can survive in environments with oxygen.” G. sulfurreducenswas previously thought to be an anaerobic organism.

The other main project collaborator was Derek Lovley, a professor of microbiology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, who discovered the Geobacter family of bacteria and has led projects to assess their biology and their potential for bioremediation. Lovley said, “Sequencing the genome of Geobacter sulfurreducenshas radically changed our concepts of how this organism functions in subsurface environments.” The genome analysis, he said, “revealed previously unsuspected physiological properties” of the bacterium and also gave scientists insight into the metabolic mechanisms that the organism uses to harvest energy from the environment.

Geobacter reduces metal ions in a chemical process during which electrons are added to the ions. As a result, the metals become less soluble in water and precipitate into solids, which are more easily removed. Small charges of electricity are also created through the reduction process. Geobacter is also of interest to the Department of Energy because of its potential to create an electrical current in a “bio-battery.”

Geobacter microbes are widely distributed in nature and are commonly found in subsurface environments contaminated with radionuclides and metals. Researchers have demonstrated that if they “feed” the microbes simple carbon sources such as acetate they will grow faster and precipitate more radionuclides and metals. These findings are now serving as the basis for a test of a bioremediation strategy aimed at removing uranium from groundwater at a Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action site near Rifle, Colorado.

Geobacter sulfurreducens is not the only bacterium with the ability to induce profound changes in radioactive elements. There are a vast number of different types of bacteria that may be helpful in decontaminating land.

Ishii used to deliver food to Japanese restaurants in Maryland. For years he studied EM (effective microogranisms) as a hobby. Now he grows organic vegetables in Sukagawa, 60 km southwest of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. He believes the EM prevents his crops from absorbing radioactive cesium—they have tested “ND”: no detectible radiation.

Controlled experiments have been done using EM in Iitate Village, which was heavily affected by fallout from the Fukushima nuclear accident. The results are stunning.

1. The Results in Iidate Village

A summary report is presented here, while a detail report will be presented in October. A plot of 24a blueberry field was divided into a control section (with no EM application) and two experimental sections (with EM application). The experiment began in the 2nd week of May by making twice-a-week spraying of a mixture of 80 parts EMA (EM activated) and 20 parts phototrophic bacteria solution: 100L of the mixture per 10a in one experimental section and the same amount of the mixture with one time application of 250Kg rice bran per 10a in other experimental section.

The preliminary measurement showed that cecium-137 level reached 20,000Bq per 1Kg soil. In order to reduce the radiation down below 5,000Bq (considered allowable for farming by Japanese government), EM mixture was sprayed twice per week. Interim report presents the results after 19 sprays (in about two months). Soil sampling was made in accordance with the sampling standards for environmental data prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Science and sent to a highly reputable Isotope Research to determine the level of cesium-137.

(1-1) The Field Experiment in Iidate Village

The results were as follows. The level of 20,000Bq decreased by 40% in one month and by 75% by the end of the 2nd month to 5,000Bq which was allowable for planting rice. Farming is allowable now.

A half-life of cesium-137 is about 30 years. When left as is in the nature, the level in the experimental field will be 10,000Bq after 30 years. It will take 60 years to reach the level of 5,000Bq.

Other than rice farming, allowable level of radiation exposure has not been established for other crops and vegetable farming. The allowable level of cesium-137 for farm and marine produce is set below 500Bq. Needless to say; it is desirable when “not-detected”.

In addition, there is a group of farmers in Fukushima Prefecture a little further from ground zero who have had their produce tested for radiation. Again, the results are remarkable:

In the area of Date city of Fukushima prefecture, there are many farmers who have used EM well over 15 years. Mr. Makuta Takehiro has organized about 50 EM farmers under a supply chain management called “Agri-SCM”. The recent Tsunami and earthquake has forced approximately 10 farmers out of farming, leaving only 40 farmers in the group.

In order to prevent unfounded conjecture, Mr. Makuta took the harvested crops and vegetables of “Agri-SCM” farmers to Isotope Research for radiation measurement, all of which results showed “not-detected”. According to Mr. Makuta, some farm products from low contamination areas have shown high concentration above the allowable level when EM application has not been made. All EM applied farm products from Kohriyama and Fukushima cities have proved “not-detected” level of radiation, which seems to indicate that EM farming can solve radiation problems.

While EM products are excellent products, they are often criticized for being costly. The bacteria and yeasts in the EM formula are abundant naturally-occurring bacteria normally present in soil and natural bodies of water. Anyone can brew their own version with a little effort and a dash of adventurousness.

Iiyama Ichiro has been a professional in agricultural and bioremedial use of beneficial bacteria for many years in Japan, China and Korea. Iiyama is promoting the practice of homebrewing bacteria (fermenting) for internal use, for bathing, cleaning radiation around the home and for bioremediation of farmland.

Here is his website in Engrish, which is barely comprehensible due to translation software, and not very informative anyway. There are also Japanese and Chinese versions, not sure how informative they are. His far-ranging Japanese blog is here.

Here is a brief summary from a blogger whose Japanese wife is following Iiyama’s method of homebrewing.

There are ten 2-liter plastic bottles standing together under
the sun in our living room which my wife Minako is
cultivating–yogurt germs, which supposedly can fight against
radiation. It’s a very simple recipe: rice bran (multi-purpose:
once used for miso, as well as for detergent, via gamma-
globlin), brown sugar, sea salt, and mineral water.

Each bottle needs to be shaken several times a day and
the cap removed to allow the germs to breathe.
Eventually the water is carbonated because the germs breathe
out CO2. When the germs become sufficently cultivated, the
water turns caramel-colored and smells like fruity vinegar.
When it’s ready, you can dilute it and pour it around
contaminated areas such as sewer openings, leaf piles, or
poorly drained areas. Basically, the water can be scattered
everywhere.

Obviously, if bioremediation using bacteria is as effective as early results suggest, this is exhilirating news for Japan, Ukraine and the rest of the world. The ability to decontaminate the landscape quickly and inexpensively is a game-changer.

The implications for human health are also very important. In my post on probiotics, I touched on the radioprotective power of probiotic foods. The ability of bacteria to transform radionuclides into harmless elements may be one of the reasons why probiotic foods are so effective in supporting the health of those affected by radiation.

That’s all for now. Below is a list of links related to this topic. I hope to post more over the next few months.

Ginger is among my favorite foods. Love the taste and love the health benefits which are too numerous to list. Here is a brief synopsis of the radioprotective qualities of ginger:

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been shown to display radioprotective effects, and is the subject of a Food & Functionreview by Manjeshwar Shrinath Baliga and co-workers from Karnataka and New Delhi, India.

In their review, the team highlight that ginger and its phytochemicals dehydrozingerone and zingerone possess radioprotective effects in in vitro tests. The mechanism of this action is proposed to be due to the free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-clastogenic effects which may contribute towards the observed radioprotection. The observation that zingerone was selective in protecting only the normal cells and not the melanoma cells indicates its potential attractiveness for clinical development.

Ginger is pretty easy to grow. Find a fresh looking piece of organic ginger at the supermarket, soak it in water for several hours and toss it in a pot with some soil. As long as it stays reasonably warm, it should sprout OK.

Like this:

Flax seed and flax seed oil have been touted for their health-promoting benefits for decades. I have been a regular consumer of flax oil for years. Flax oil is one of the better sources of Omega 3 fatty acids, one of the most important nutrients out there for good reason:

Recently, Mike Adams drew my attention to the radioprotective qualities of flax. Here is a snippet:

The research focused on Flax seed’s ability to protect lung tissue prior to exposure and the ability of flax to repair damaged lung tissue after exposure. They used mice for their published study, but now they’re doing a clinical study on humans receiving radiation for cancer treatment.

Melpo Christofidou-Solomidou and his research team fed some mice flax seeds both before and others after radiating them. They found that both the before and after radiation flax fed mice survived even lethal doses of radiation in good health while many that weren’t fed flax died.

Not only did the flax fed mice survive, but they also managed to get healthier. They had higher body weight and minimal lung inflammation, which is common with radiation therapy treated cancer patients

People have shrunk tumors or healed themselves of cancer by following the Budwig Diet, which includes lots of flax oil, for over 50 years. Evidence for the Budwig diet is largely anecdotal, however it is supported by research such as this study suggests that dietary flax seed may reduce the growth of tumors in patients with breast cancer.

Other Sources of Omega-3 Oils:

Many of the benefits of flax are due to it’s omega 3 oils, and it is reasonable to assume that other foods containing high amounts of Omega 3 oils may confer similar radioprotective benefits.

Fish have long been one of the best sources of omega 3 fats, however, with radioactive tuna showing up 6,000 miles away from Japan, people may want to limit the amount of fish (particularly larger fish from the pacific) they are eating. This is, of course, in addition to the load of heavy metals, such as mercury, which have been present in fish for some time.

Eggs from pastured chickens tend to be much higher in omega 3’s than factory chickens. Grass fed beef and dairy may have 2 to 4 times more omega 3’s than their grain fed counterparts. Organic is a must when it comes to animal products due to hormones and antibiotics.

Besides flax, other excellent vegetarian sources of omega 3 oils include chia seeds, hemp seeds and purslane (common edible weed). Chia and hemp seeds both deserve the term of superfoods. In addition to omega-3 oils, they offer superior quality protein. Purslane deserves mention because it is tasty, high in vitamin c and omega 3 fats, and grows like a weed because it is one. Chances are you have some growing in your neighborhood, if not your yard or driveway.

What must we do?

…..

Vitamin C:This antioxidant is effective against radiation. Radioactive atoms (radionuclides) have missing electrons that they replace by stealing electrons from other atoms causing cellular and DNA damage. That’s oxidation in a nutshell. An antioxidant gives those atoms the electrons they need, thus neutralizing oxidative stress.

It’s not easy swallowing 10 grams total of ascorbic acid at intervals daily. Injected C or IV C is hard to come by. Here’s a way to maximize cellular absorption of vitamin C without force feeding to the point of diarrhea or injection and IV intake –check out the sources(http://www.naturalnews.com/034591_vitamin_C_mega-dose_healing.html).

Vitamin D3:Make sure you supplement with vitamin D3, not just D or D2. Despite conventional dermatology’s advice, strong sunlight exposure to skin is the safest way to up your D3 blood levels. Despite conventional medicine’s standard, 25(OH)D tested D3 levels at 20 nanograms/milliliter are not enough; 50 to 70 ng/mg would be optimum.

Other neutralizing supplements should include iodine or potassium iodide. Most of us are iodine deficient. Potassium itself works well at inhibiting radionuclides. The sleep supplement melatonin protects against radiation.

Sulfur supplements are recommended, and bicarbonate of soda is also effective at neutralizing radiation in our organs.

Magnesium intake should be increased along with calcium; both are effective at protecting against radiation poisoning.

Superfoods, chlorella and spirulina, have actually been used effectively where radioactive leaks occurred. Kelp is another possibility.

Bentonite clay or zeolite may help rid radionuclides from internal tissues.

ATOMIC GUITAR MarkI & MarkII, invented by Fuyuki Yamakawa, are automatic guitar playing system operated by radioactivity. This video shows ATOMIC GUITARS` performance played by radiation-contaminated soil which was sampled in Tokyo National University of the Arts Toride Campus on 5th July 2011. Tokyo National University of the Arts Toride Campus is located 118.2miles from the melted down reactor of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
(Video recorded at the exhibition ‘ATOMIC SITE’, 2011, Tokyo,http://atomiksite.wordpress.com/ )

So deep are the protective, buffering and neutralizing properties of bicarbonate that it is used even with radiation exposure to protect the kidneys and other tissues. In a world that is already overexposed to uranium and mercury, sodium bicarbonate becomes even more important because mercury and uranium oxide directly attack the nuclear material and mitochondria of the cells.

The oral administration of sodium bicarbonate diminishes theseverity of the changes produced by uranium in the kidneys.[1]

The kidneys are usually the first organs to show chemical damage upon uranium exposure. Old military manuals suggest doses or infusions of sodium bicarbonate to help alkalinize the urine if this happens. This makes the uranyl ion less kidney-toxic and promotes excretion of the nontoxic uranium-carbonate complex. The oral administration of sodium bicarbonate diminishes the severity of the changes produced by uranium in the kidneys.[2]

It does this for all the heavy metals and other toxic chemicals including chemotherapy agents, which are highly lethal even in low dosages. After depleted uranium weapons were used starting in the first Gulf War, the United States has polluted the world with uranium oxide and it is showing up more and more in tests doctors perform. With a half life of several billion years we had better be prepared to get used to dealing with the toxic effects and help our bodies clear it more easily through the kidneys. Sodium bicarbonate is an absolute must item in any field hospital and it should be in used and recommended in all clinics and be present in every home medicine cabinet.

So useful and strong is sodium bicarbonate that at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, researcher Don York has used baking soda to clean soil contaminated with uranium.Sodium bicarbonate binds with uranium, separating it from the dirt; so far, York has removed as much as 92 percent of the uranium from contaminated soil samples. I started writing about baking soda after discovering that the United States Army recommends the use of bicarbonate to protect the kidneys from radiation damage.

SEABROOK NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, NH. Remember Fukushima: The Walk for a New Spring. nineteen-day walk from Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant in NH to Plymouth Nuclear Power Plant in Ply­mouth, MA on the anniversary of the catastrophe at Fukushima, Japan and ending the walk in Vernon, VT at Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. Our walk is a prayer for the suffering of the Japanese people and a plea for the people of New England to recognize the grave dangers that nuclear energy poses to our lives, our property, and all life on our Mother Earth. Nuclear energy is neither safe nor clean. The threat of a nuclear accident at one of our own aging nuclear facilities is all too real and the consequences would be unimaginably catastrophic. We walk together in love and solidarity for a nuclear free future. A more just, sustainable, and compassionate world built on respect for all living beings and for the earth that sustains us is possible now more than ever. Please join us to help make it a reality. Full walk schedule can be found here: http://nipponzanmyohoji.tumblr.com/post/ 17057484948/walk-for-a-new-spring

For details, to join the walk or to support the walk when it comes to your community, contact:Tim Bullock at 413-485-8469 or email walk4newspring@gmail.com.

NEW! SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. Mothers for Peace. Art After Dark. The Salon at Monterey, 1435 Monterey St. Join artist Stacy Bialac and the Mothers for Peace in artistic expressions for the March 11 anniversary event honoring the survivors of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3

GREENFIELD, MA. PowerShift March to Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Gather and depart 9:30 AM, Court Square, Greenfield, MA for 16-mile march to nuclear power plant in Vernon, Vermont. Vigil at Vermont Yankee to begin approximately 5PM for one hour followed by shuttles to after party with local music at the Stone Church, Brattleboro, VT. CONTACT: fungiaffinity@gmail.com, Greenfield Community College.

NEW YORK CITY. EYEWITNESS FUKUSHIMA:YEAR ONE. Indian Point:Following in Fatal Footsteps. 5pm @ Riverside Church. Meet emergency workers and a doctor from Japan who will talk about their experiences during the crisis and answer questions.Find out what really happened there and how it continues to affect the lives of so many.Open discussion regarding how the ongoing crisis at Fukushima relates to Indian Point. Information:1-888-474-8848. Sponsored by Shut Down Indian Point Now, Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7

NEW YORK CITY. “Situation of Rural Women Affected by the Great Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Power Plant Accident,” sponsored by Human Rights Now and featuring survivors from Fukushima. 2:30pm-4:30pm UN Church Center, 777 First Avenue, New York City/United Nations. The forum coincides with the 56th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women at the UN.

NEW! BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. Conference in the European Parliament, in Brussels, “One year after March 11: First anniversary of the catastrophe of Fukushima”, March 7, 2012, European Parliament: Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Brussels, Belgium; Time: 10:00 – 17:30; Contact: http://www.greens-efa.eu/one-year-after-311-5200.html

SATURDAY, MARCH 10

NEW YORK CITY. The Center for Remembering and Sharing: invites the public to come and share their stories, not only about Fukushima, but about grappling with the dangers of nuclear power and with corporate-governmental threats to our environment and safety, everywhere. Share your fears, share your successes, share your knowledge, and empower one another to make a better world. This event will take place in NYC at CRS (Center for Remembering & Sharing), 123 4th Ave, 2nd FL, NYC 10003 at 8pm. http://www.crsny.org. Contact: Christopher Pelham: http://www.facebook.com/ christopher.pelham .

SAN ANTONIO, TX. Energía Mía, San Antonio, Texas: A volunteer, grassroots organization, Energía Mía is planning a vigil and march in downtown San Antonio, TX. We will wear white for visibility and carry candles. More details to come. Contact: myenergyenergiamia@gmail.com.

HINKLEY POINT, UK: No more Fukushimas; Surround Hinkley Point . March 10, 6pm to March 11, 2pm. Blocade and encirclement of the Hinkley Point reactor, the first of the proposed 8 new reactor sites in the UK. In 2010, dozens of us blockaded the gates at Hinkley. In 2011 hundreds of us blockaded the entrance again. In 2012, thousands of us will surround the power station to say No to new nuclear! Not here, not anywhere! Learn more at Stop New Nuclear.

CHICAGO. “What March 11 Means to Me: A Symposium in Honor of Norma Field,” March 10 & 11 at the U. of Chicago’s Ctr. for East Asian Studies, featuring 5 intellectuals and activists from Japan, endorsed by Nuclear Energy Information Service. Information: http://ceas.uchicago.edu/events/what_march11_means_to_me.shtml.

BUCHANAN, NY. Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition (IPSEC): Human Chain Against Chain Reactions featuring Jun San and the Peace Walk from Oyster Creek to Vermont Yankee at the gates of Indian Point, Buchanan NY. Press conference and vigil at Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant gates, beginning at 3:30pm. Information at IPSEC and Clearwater. Contact: Manna Jo Greene: http:// http://www.facebook.com/mannajo.

ENCINITAS, CA. No-Nukes in California. A walk and rally in Encinitas, starting at Swamis Seaside Park, marching up South Coast Hwy for 1 mile to B St. making a left turn to Moonlight State Beach. There, we will gather and form a human chain as far down the beach as possible. We will have drum circles and refreshments. Event begins at 10am, the march will take approximately 30 minutes and the rally and drum circles go until 1pm. San Diego and Temecula residents, please join us to close down San Onofre! Information: http://www.facebook.com/events/130643650390535/.

AUSTRALIA. Nationwide day of action. One year since the start of the Fukushima nuclear disaster — Australians will take part in a national day of action to end uranium mining. The Federal Government has confirmed that Australian uranium was in at least five of the six reactors at Fukushima at the time of the accident. Information: http:// http://www.11march.com/.

NEW! KIRCHHEIM, GERMANY. Human chain in Neckarwestheim, Nuclear Power Plant in Kirchheim. Initiation in station Neckar to 1:00 PM, with protest march to the Nuclear Power Plant Neckarwestheim; Contact: http://www.endlichabschalten.de/

NEW! ZARATE, ARGENTINA. Demonstration in Zárate, Buenos Aires province, in Central Square Zárate, face to City Hall, organized by “Antinuclear Movement Zárate- Campana” and “Nuclear Movement in Argentina No”, in opposition to the Atucha Nuclear Power Plant, and projects to installation of new Nuclear Power Stations, with cultural programs, music and antinuclear speeches; Time: 19:00 Contact: movimientoantinuclearzc@yahoo.com.ar ; www.argentinanonuclear.com.ar

CHICAGO. “What March 11 Means to Me: A Symposium in Honor of Norma Field,” March 10 & 11 at the U. of Chicago’s Ctr. for East Asian Studies, featuring 5 intellectuals and activists from Japan, endorsed by Nuclear Energy Information Service. Information: http://ceas.uchicago.edu/events/what_march11_means_to_me.shtml.

RICHMOND, VA. Remembering Fukushima in Virginia. We will be standing in solidarity with the Japanese people that day by handing out information to raise awareness and signing petitions for safe clean sustainable energy choices. Chop Suey Books, 2913 W Cary St., Richmond, VA 23221. 11am-2:00pm. Information: http:// http://www.facebook.com/events/386540624705623/.

PORTLAND, OR. Remembering Fukushima in Portland. On the one year anniversary of the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, we hope you come down with friends, family and all loved ones in remembering this disaster and it’s impact on not only the lives lost, but the toll this disaster will have on the future of humanity, and more to the point, our planet Earth.

All are invited as this is a peaceful gathering in remembrance and a chance to discuss changes that can be made to avert such disasters and what we can do to help with educating the public at large about nuclear energy, it’s waste, and it’s very real impact on our planet.

You are encouraged to bring a flower (sunflowers encouraged), candle, sign, flag, or just yourself. Let’s gather together in peaceful solidarity for those affected by this horrendous disaster, after all, it will affect all of us. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave, POrtland, OR 97204. Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/ 326878624015522/?notif_t=event_invite.

SHELL BLUFF, GA. Fukushima: Remembrance and Warning. The event will be held in the community of Shell Bluff near the nuclear Plant Vogtle (expansion) site in Burke County, Georgia. 2pm to 6pm. For information and to volunteer to perform or present, please call Georgia WAND (GEORGIA Women’s Action for New Directions) at 404 524-5999 or email Bobbie Paul bobbie@wand.org.

NEW! ANGRA DOS REIS, BRAZIL. Human Chain with candles in Angra dos Reis. Vigil all night in the Angra Nuclear Power Plants 1 and 2, from 9:00 PM of Saturday March 10. At dawn of sun, Sunday March 11, a barge will be placed into the sea, honoring the victims of Fukushima, in the Historic Village of Mambucaba at a distance of 5 km of

MICHIGAN. Workshop to launch a Media Campaign to prevent Fermi 3 and shut down Fermi 2, to be held in southeast Michigan, sponsored by the following groups: Southeast Michigan Sierra Club Group, Don’t Waste Michigan, Coalition for a Nuclear Free Great Lakes, Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination, Beyond Nuclear, as well as the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice. Location and times to be announced.

MICHIGAN. Workshop to launch a Media Campaign to prevent Fermi 3 and shut down Fermi 2, to be held in southeast Michigan, sponsored by the following groups: Southeast Michigan Sierra Club Group, Don’t Waste Michigan, Coalition for a Nuclear Free Great Lakes, Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination, Beyond Nuclear, as well as the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice, location and times to be announced.

VERMONT AND AROUND THE COUNTRY. Solidarity with Vermont. A day of actions in solidarity with Vermont. Vermont Yankee should have closed on March 21, 2012. The fight is not over. Communities around Mark I reactors, identical to Vermont Yankee and Fukushima-Daiichi, as well as safe, green energy activists everywhere, are encouraged to hold events on this date in national solidarity with Vermonters and their struggle to close Vermont Yankee. Contact: Kendra Ulrich.

VERNON, VT. Nuke-Free Monadnock will hold a mass vigil at the gates of Vermont Yankee. Details to come.

RICHLAND, WA. Hanford: North America’s Fukushima will hold a rally in Richland, WA to bring information to the public about the largest nuclear waste site in the world. We are asking specifically for oversight for the cleanup by someone other than the DOE and for the US Government/DOE to honor the Tri-Party Agreement. We have speakers lined up from Dr. Helen Caldicott, to Hanford Watch, OR and WA Physicians For Social Responsibility, AIM/Warriors Society, The Shell Mound Walk, Mothers For Peace and more. Music will be announced in the next few weeks. More information here.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

So the sunflowers DID concentrate radioactive cesium in soil. It was not where the Japanese government wanted you to find.

According to one Iitate-mura villager, Mr. Itoh, who had his sunflowers tested, the radioactive cesium was IN THE ROOTS. He suspects that the government knew, and cherry-picked the data that seemingly supported the foregone conclusion that sunflowers do not work in decontaminating the soil.

Why? Because the government wants and needs to distribute big money to big businesses that closely work with the government in the “decontamination” bubble that they’ve created.

Sunflower roots: Cesium-134, 39,500 Bq/kg; cesium-137, 52,100 Bq/kg; total 91,600 Bq/kg. Since the roots were burned at low a temperature, the roots were reduced to only one-quarter in mass. 2,200 grams of the roots were burned, resulting in 460 grams of ashes.

In this video, David Vitalis goes into detail about sauna and clay/zeolite for detoxifying radiation.

I have a couple of nitpicks, but overall I think it’s a very good video.

The two radionuclides of primary concern are iodine, cesium and strontium. Cesium and strontium are water soluble and stored primarily in muscle and bone respectively, so, yes, you can sweat out these radionuclides, but the point about sweating out fat-soluble toxins does not apply to these two in particular. However, other lypophillic (fat loving) toxins, such as mercury, must be cleansed as well. It is the overall toxic load that must be cleansed, not only radionuclides.

Anyway, check out the video, and there is a lot more on that website I haven’t had the chance to take a look at, link below the video.